11 reasons why Darjeeling should be on your bucket list.

The mighty Kangchenjunga adds beauty to the Queen of hills. The rare beauty can be seen almost from all the tourist spots. It stands invincible as the first ray of light comes in contact with the flawless white. By evening the starry sky takes the place of the exquisite morning.

Kanchenjunga is quite far from Darjeeling, but since it is very vast , it looks near. For a person travelling to Darjeeling the one sight they would never want to miss is the magnificent play of colours. With the sunrise the peaks of Kanchenjunga and the Himalayan region change from red to pink and then from yellow to white.

Imagine being in a place with beautiful landscapes sharing a few moments in the lap of nature. A peaceful environment being the need of the hour would make your trip even more pleasant. No wonder this beautiful place is known as the “Queen of Hills.”

Here are 11 reasons why Darjeeling should be on your bucket list.

Rise and Shine

Darjeeling is known worldwide for the tea it manufactures. There is nothing quite like a cup of hot Darjeeling tea and watching the splendid sunrise from Tiger Hill.

Tiger Hill is most famous for its splendid sights of sunrise. To get up to the sunrise spot, it requires a short climb on foot from the parking spot. During summer one has to reach the sunrise spot by 4am.

Witnessing the charm of Darjeeling slowly unfolding as the sun lights up the entire range unfurling the panoramic view of Mt.Everest and Mt. Kanchenjunga together, is a treat that you can only enjoy in Darjeeling.

Far from the Madding crowd

After visiting famous tourist spots, what else could make the trip more interesting? Undoubtedly a stay at a farmhouse or a resort for a day or two in some rural area.

Book a resort for a day or two, and you will actually witness the beauty of Darjeeling in its purest form. Moreover, nothing can beat the love, respect, and local food you receive from the people of Darjeeling.

Some of the best resorts in and around Darjeeling are- Mayfair,Sterling,The Elgin, Crescent , and many more. If you are planning to enjoy your stay in a more secluded place then the best stays are Tathagata Farm, Bata Mangwa, Panacea Greentara Homestay, Lamahatta farm etc.

Chowrasta- Heart of Darjeeling

Sometimes, we are so caught up in the moment that we forget to reset the RELAX button. The green benches in Chowrasta allow you to relax for some time.

The Mall Road is a beautiful path which adds charm to Chowrasta. The Mahakal Dham and the beautiful landscapes make the back side of Chowrastha even more pleasant and peaceful. One can relive childhood and enjoy the beauty with a short horse ride in Mall road.

Rare is Beautiful

Waiting for the ‘rare’ to come out of their hiding place makes the walk through the Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park worthwhile. Though the zoo is not too big it is well maintained and it has a variety of mountain animals including endangered species. You will surely love the red panda and the snow leopard. So, if you are an animal lover then this is a perfect place to visit.

Himalayan Mountaineering Institute is recognized as one of the best mountaineering institutes in the world. The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute welcomes you with a quote- “May you climb from peak to peak,” It is right next to the zoo.

Keen learners and mountaineers from all over the world come to this institute to develop their skills. HMI has become a significant tourist attraction because of the information it provides regarding mountaineering and also because it is located in such a picturesque place where the third highest peak Kanchenjunga looks mesmerizing. So, if you have an adventurous mind then HMI is your cup of tea.

Joy Ride

The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) , fondly called Toy Train was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. People far and wide come to Darjeeling to enjoy the joy ride.

The DHR paves its way from the busy streets of Darjeeling to a more serene environment. The Batasia Loop has a panoramic view of Darjeeling with the snow-capped mountain in the backdrop. A small memorial to the Gorkha soldiers stands tall as a token of respect to all those who sacrificed their Life for our motherland.

From Batasia Loop to Ghoom to Kurseong and then Sukna, one can view the natural beauty and also see the change in landform from the holy region to the plains. One can not avoid the joy ride because it truly brings joy in the hearts of the travellers.

Bold is beautiful

Uniquely Darjeeling is both modern and traditional. So, in addition to the city’s colossal culture, Darjeeling also puts an ace game with latest fashion trends and the blend of these two creates a beautiful You. Darjeeling is a hub when it comes to fashion. So, beautiful ladies out there go on a shopping spree- buy a fashionable outfit, a traditional saree or a shawl for your elders, dangles and bangles and pendants from the curio…the choice is all yours.

What’s the process?

You take a stroll in Mall road sipping the Darjeeling tea. Do you wonder what makes it so tasty? So the answer to your query is a quick visit to some of the luscious green tea gardens in Darjeeling. Take a sip in the bed of nature and also have the privilege to see how the world-famous Darjeeling Tea is prepared.

Happy Valley Tea Estate is a vast garden located in Darjeeling town of West Bengal . It is known to be the second oldest tea estate in Darjeeling. One can take a guided tour through the fragrant factory and observe how to produce the different varieties of tea.

Variety is the spice of life

Tickle your taste bud with some of the most authentic flavors. From the finest local food to the crispy dosa-sambar to momo to thukpa to iconic bakery to a sumptuous breakfast; you have it all.

Books, music, and food

“If music be the food of love, play on.” Your love for a good read, mesmerizing music, and food will surely take you to some of the best cafes in Darjeeling. Gatty’s Cafe, NERDvana Bookstore, And Café, and Glenarys(Buzz) are some places where you can relax and enjoy the evening.

The hills come alive as the melody of the Sarangi (an instrument) floats through the air. played by local musicians called ‘Gaine dai’ in the streets of Darjeeling.

Ferns and Petals

From the busy streets to a serene environment. A few minutes walk takes you to one of the beautiful gardens in Darjeeling, the Lloyd Botanical Garden.

The sprawling 40-acre land is decorated with sparkling colors, especially during the spring season.

The garden contains indigenous Himalayan plants, exotic colorful plants, and a conservatory with 150 species of cacti. It has a variety of ferns and an Orchidarium which displays around 2,500 orchids. For a naturalist this place is apt.

The Air of Spirituality

Darjeeling- “the land of thunderbolt” is a heavenly abode. The spirituality is reflected in the form of Temples, Gompas, and Churches. You can keep your worries at bay by visiting the holy monasteries.

Darjeeling is a place you would fall in love with. The call of the Himalayas is undeniable. From the first blossoming of flowers to the mistic route to the fall and the chilled winter. Every season has a flavor of its own.

How to Get there:

By Air: The nearest airport to Darjeeling is Bagdogra which is approximately 95 km away from the city. There are some direct flights from the cities like Kolkata, Delhi, and Guwahati to Darjeeling. One can hire a taxi from the airport

By Train: The nearest railway station to Darjeeling is New Jalpaiguri. One can hire a private taxi or share the local taxi with other passengers. It takes around 3 hours to reach Darjeeling.

By Road: There are regular buses and taxis via road from Siliguri to Darjeeling.